Re: Mom

Dear Momma,
I'm sorry to hear about the deaths in the family. It seems like the good or the bad always come in sets. I feel like in future times, these couple of years we're in now are going to be times that we look back on as 'the refining fire'. It's definitely not easy - the kiln is the last place anyone wants to be - but beautiful, strong works of art can't be made without going through it. I'm confident that someday we will be able to look back on these hard times and feel gratitude for the deliverance of the Lord that we'll have seen, as well as the ways that we've changed and grown from them.
The coming of spring is a back-and-forth process here - it's just warm enough to melt off most of the ice, and then we get another cold snap and just a little more snow. The highlight of our week was that two days ago, Syster Dabb and I were out knocking on doors, and when we looked down we saw a fresh little patch of yellow and purple flowers already in bloom! I think those flowers rank below Tobias and Pontus's baptisms on the list of best things I've seen on my mission!
We've also picked up three new investigators this week: Jason from Singapore, Juan from China, and Erika from Sundsvall! It's kind of fun how international this mission is. Sweden's just a huge melting pot for the entire world. It's cool seeing so many different cultures living and working together. It makes me wonder why so many times people who come from the same place and the same background can't get along at all?
This next week should be pretty fun - we're having a 2-day conference in Stockholm just for the sisternaries, which starts tomorrow. Syster Dabb and I have been charged with running part of it and have been preparing the theme and messages. That starts tomorrow.
Thanks for filling me in on this Richard Smith guy. That clears things up a lot. I don't feel bad for being confused about it; I only know one old Canadian named Richard, and that's Uncle Richard. He talked a lot about the Stegeby family - which is the same family that had us over for Thanksgiving and Christmas. So yes, I do know a number of the same people he does.
And thanks for not scaring Nate off. I appreciate that. The image of you singing out my praises to him made me laugh so hard! The only way I can imagine it ending is him singing it all right back to you. You don't have to tell him I'm frugal; he knows that well already. The only real argument I can remember us having was over me never wanting to go places on dates that cost him money. But anyway, if he OR YOU insist on sending something for my birthday, just make sure it's something small. I've got so much luggage already. I can't haul much. You know I've got no muscle at all. ;-)
I feel like I've written a novel here. I hope you have a wonderful week, and I really hope everyone's recovered from the sickness by now. Pass on my love to everybody. And remember that I love you the most.

Love,
Syster Hillary Kiser